Yaquina Art Gallery Spotlight Shows featuring: Jewelry Designer Calisse Browne and the wood art of Eric Paukstaitis–December 29th to January 11th
In a two week Spotlight Show from December 29th to January 11th , the Yaquina Art Association will be featuring Jewelry Designer Calisse Brown and the wood art of Eric Paukstaitis. The Yaquina Art Association Gallery is located in Nye Beach at 789 NW Beach Drive. Hours of operation are 11 am to 4 pm every day.
Calisse Browne creates memorable pieces using metal, including silver and copper; enamel on copper, glass set in metal and stones varying from turquoise, agate, and picture jasper as well as clay. She also collects stones from the beach and looks forward to incorporating them in her jewelry.
“I love working metals, stones and jewels into something unique and beautiful”, said Browne. “It brings me joy to see someone wearing and enjoying a piece of jewelry I’ve created. I also enjoy reading about the metaphysical properties of stones. Now, instead of just carrying stones in my pocket, I can create ‘wearable art’ where the stones can be truly appreciated.” Browne started metal smithing in 2015 by taking a Metal I class at the Denver School of Metal Arts. She then proceeded to take Metal II (which she did twice because she enjoyed it so much) and two Precious Metal Clay classes. When asked what inspires her, Browne said, “I believe life is an adventure that you embrace and find people and activities that feed your soul and look for opportunities to leave the world in a happier place.” Prior to metal smithing she did beading and wire wrapping.
A recent transplant to the Oregon Coast, Browne grew up on a farm in Indiana and lived in Colorado for over 20 years and also lived in South Africa for a year. Her love of traveling has taken her to China, Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, France, Great Brittan, Scotland, Malawi, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and India.
Browne added, “I come from a ginormous family with seven siblings and over 90 nieces/nephews and great nieces/great nephews. I’m blessed with a wonderful husband, four children and two grandchildren.”
Eric Paukstaitis wanted to do something different following his retirement to the Otter Rock after 40 years as a hydrogeologist. He had dabbled in various fields including photography, woodworking, laser etching, and woodblock printing among others. He decided to combine his skills to experiment with a unique artistic medium – hand-painted, engraved wooden panels using a combination of original photos and hand sketches. His works can be seen at the Artists CO-OP gallery in Lincoln City, the Yaquina Art Association Gallery in Newport, and the Pacific City Gallery in Pacific City.
Silver Jewelry by Calisse Browne
Glass set in Sterling Silver by Calisse Browne
“Captain” by Eric Paukstaitis
“Heading Out” by Eric Paukstaitis
